Context:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released its 2025 State of World Marine Fishery Resources report at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France. This landmark report evaluates the current status, sustainability, and governance challenges of global marine fish stocks.
Key Highlights
- Global Stock Status:
- 64.5% of marine fishery stocks are biologically sustainable, while 35.5% remain overfished.
- Deep-Sea Species in Crisis:
- Only 29% of deep-sea species are sustainably harvested due to their biological vulnerabilities like slow growth and low fecundity.
- Shark Stock Decline:
- 43.5% of highly migratory shark stocks across seven species are fished unsustainably, especially in the tropical Indo-Pacific.
- Tuna Sustainability Success:
- 87% of tuna and tuna-like species are sustainably managed due to strong Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs).
- Regional Differences:
- Northeast and Southwest Pacific show higher sustainability, while the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions report only 35.1% sustainable stock levels.
- Data Deficiency Caution:
- Regions like the eastern Indian Ocean appear to perform well (72.7% sustainability), but lack species-specific monitoring.
- Governance Emphasis:
- Calls for greater RFMO powers, improved tech-based monitoring, and precautionary management to counter overfishing trends.
Analysis of the Report
Positives
- Improving Global Sustainability
Example: Effective regulatory frameworks in the Pacific have stabilized stock health. - Effective Tuna Management
Example: Catch documentation and onboard observer programs have reduced illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. - Robust Scientific Methodology
Example: Over 600 experts from 90 nations contributed to comprehensive ecological modeling and assessments. - Policy-Relevant Guidance
Example: Clear strategies for conserving high-risk species like sharks, rays, and deep-sea fish.
Negatives
- Deep-Sea Vulnerability
Example: Species such as the Orange Roughy are slow to regenerate due to late maturation and deep habitat ranges. - Shark Overexploitation
Example: Shark bycatch in tuna fisheries drives unsustainable mortality rates, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. - Data Gaps in Key Regions
Example: Southeast Asia and parts of Africa suffer from low-resolution species-level reporting. - Weak Enforcement in Some Areas
Example: Mediterranean and Black Sea regions still face issues from unregulated coastal and artisanal fishing.
Recommendations
- Strengthen RFMO Authority
Expand observer coverage, mandate electronic catch reporting, and impose binding conservation measures. - Adopt Ecosystem-Based Management
Incorporate climate risk and biodiversity metrics into fisheries policies and management tools. - Improve Data Collection Infrastructure
Invest in digital tools, training, and cross-border research partnerships via FAO, World Bank, and other development bodies. - Eliminate Harmful Subsidies
Ensure WTO-compliant enforcement of subsidy bans linked to IUU fishing and overcapacity. - Empower Coastal Communities
Scale up co-management models and expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) with local stakeholder participation.
